2. Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres have been stuck in mediocrity for a whole decade. It’s been nine years since they last made the playoffs and 13 years since they last won a playoff series. One has to think the Sabres are going to start making some huge changes. If they want to be taken seriously, they need to address their goaltending. Kuemper would make sense for a variety of reasons.
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Firstly, Linus Ullmark is not a number one goalie. Kuemper at least has the talent necessary to be a number one goalie. Ullmark’s a perfectly capable backup goalie. Kuemper could start about 55 games and Ullmark could handle the rest. That’s a pretty solid tandem.
Secondly, the Sabres would probably have to pay someone like Holtby, Markstrom, or Lehner more than Kuemper anyway. So if they want to upgrade their goaltending, Kuemper is someone Buffalo should look at.
The Sabres would probably have to find a way to get rid of Carter Hutton first, though. Buying him out might be the only option. I can’t see any teams lining up to trade for Hutton’s $2.75 million cap hit for next season given his struggles this season. The Sabres are going to make changes. Don’t be surprised if Kuemper is a part of it.